The chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission will review a tape of Saturday night’s fight between junior middleweights Vernon Forrest and Ike Quartey, but yesterday said it’s unlikely he’ll overturn the unanimous 10-round decision awarded to Forrest at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Many in the crowd of 3,012 booed when Forrest was announced the winner on all three judges’ scorecards. The Post scored the fight 96-93 for Quartey, while Harold Letterman of HBO had Quartey ahead 97-92.

But ringside judges Steve Weisfeld and Melvina Lathan, who have scored 45 title fights between them, had Forrest winning 95-94, while Tony Paolillo saw Forrest, a 96-93 victor.

Quartey’s promoter, Lou DiBella, said he would file a written protest believing Quartey won the fight by being the more aggressive and accurate puncher. Compubox had Quartey connecting on 42 percent of his punches to 22 percent for Forrest. Quartey also had an edge in jabs, connecting 82-50, but Forrest landed more power punches, 134-119.

“I’m not pointing fingers at these [judges] not being honorable and decent,” DiBella said. “I’m not saying anything funny happened. I’m just saying there’s a whole system that governs judging and you have to ask some questions about it.”

Lathan and Weisfeld are experienced judges who often teach the seminars other young judges attend to improve their craft.

Saturday’s fight was close with Quartey scoring well early in the fight and Forrest holding his own in the second half. But Forrest lost a point in the ninth round for a low-blow, lost the 10th round on three cards, yet won the fight.

Stevens said he’ll review a tape of the bout, but doesn’t foresee taking any action.

“I’ll look at the tape and share it with the other two commissioners and see if there was anything done to overturn the verdict,” Stevens said. “But I doubt it. It’s very difficult to overturn a decision unless it shocks the conscious of the commission. Otherwise you’d have people protesting every decision. Three well-respected judges all voted the same way. They’re the experts and they know what they’re looking for.”

The fight was billed as “Now or Never,” but DiBella doesn’t think Quartey will be scarred by his first defeat in four comeback fights since a five-year absence caused in part by frustrating losses to Oscar De La Hoya in 1999 and Fernando Vargas in 2000.

“I don’t care what the judges said, [Quartey] won the fight,” DiBella said. “So as far as I’m concerned, the game plan is going to be the same as if he got the decision.”

Forrest, the former world welterweight champion who has overcome three recent surgeries to his shoulder and elbow, is now looking for a title shot at 154 pounds.

“You’ve got two former world champions fighting each other. How can the winner not get a No.1 spot?” he said. “I know I’m a little rusty. But I want to fight for the title.”